Osaka giving up her US citizenship for Japan
Boca Raton’s Naomi Osaka, two-time Grand Slam champion and the world’s third-ranked tennis player, has decided to give up her U.S. citizenship to represent Japan in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Osaka, who is of Japanese and Haitian descent, was born in Japan before moving to South Florida in 2006 from New York, where she lived starting in 2000.
Japan’s Nationality Act says those who hold dual citizenship must choose one nationality before their 22nd birthday. Osaka turns 22 on Wednesday.
“It is a special feeling to aim for the Olympics as a representative of Japan,” she said to NHK News. “I think it will be more emotional to play for the pride of the country.”
Osaka already represents Japan in the Fed Cup and on the WTA Tour, most recently defeating Ashleigh Barty to win the 2019 China Open.
Her family moved to South Florida so she and her older sister, Mari, could have better opportunities to train for tennis. She had nearly a half-dozen trainers in Broward and Palm Beach counties, moving several times.
Osaka became the first Japanese player to win a major when she defeated Serena Williams in the 2018 U.S. Open final, and she won the 2019 Australian Open for her second Grand Slam tournament victory.
According to the Olympic Channel, Osaka will be eligible to represent Japan in the Olympics if she plays for the country in at least one more national competition that’s organized by the International Tennis Federation.